Ep 3. Changing the Culture of Dying with Jessica Zitter

Beyond Belief season 11 episode 3, "Changing the Culture of Dying with Jessica Zitter," focuses on the issues surrounding end-of-life care and the importance of changing cultural attitudes towards dying. Dr. Jessica Zitter, an ICU physician, palliative care specialist, and author, provides insight into her experiences working in the medical field and advocating for better end-of-life care.

The episode explores the challenges that doctors and patients face when it comes to discussing end-of-life care. Many individuals are uncomfortable discussing death and dying, often leading to patients receiving unnecessary or unwanted medical interventions. Dr. Zitter advocates for a shift towards "slow medicine," which emphasizes quality of life over quantity of interventions, and encourages patients to have open and honest conversations with their doctors and loved ones.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Zitter shares personal stories and examples from her own practice, highlighting the need for cultural change around end-of-life care. She argues that by changing the way we talk about death and dying, we can improve the quality of care for individuals at the end of their lives and better support their loved ones.

The episode also addresses the importance of addressing cultural attitudes towards death and dying within the healthcare system more broadly. Many hospitals and healthcare providers are not equipped to provide quality end-of-life care, and Dr. Zitter advocates for reforms to the healthcare system to support better care for all patients.

Overall, "Changing the Culture of Dying with Jessica Zitter" is a thought-provoking episode that tackles a difficult but important topic. Through Dr. Zitter's insights and experiences, viewers are encouraged to consider their own attitudes towards death and dying, and to advocate for a more compassionate and supportive approach to end-of-life care.